Channel 4 vs Tubi

Adam Adler joins Channel 4’s in-house production business as Creative Director

Channel 4 announces the appointment of Adam Adler as Creative Director of its in-house production business.

Channel 4 appoints Alisa Pomeroy as Head of Unscripted

Channel 4 appoints Alisa Pomeroy as Head of Unscripted (28 Oct). Also featured: Channel 4 and The Walt Disney Company strike landmark deal to bring Channel 4 to Disney+ (27 Oct).

Channel 4 Announces First Branded Microdrama Series

Channel 4 has announced its first branded microdrama series, 'The Guest List', as part of its digital-first strategy. The five-part vertical short-form series will be available on Channel 4's Meta, TikTok, and YouTube channels from October 24. The series is produced by curly media, a social-first creative agency, in partnership with skincare and fragrance brand Sol de Janeiro, with the deal brokered by Zenith UK. The drama follows four women in their twenties, with each character inspired by Sol de Janeiro's Intense Mist fragrance range. This move marks Channel 4's entry into the microdrama market, which Omdia forecasts to reach $14 billion in global revenues by end of 2026, primarily driven by women aged 25-45. Channel 4 continues to expand its digital programming strategy, having previously launched digital-first brand Channel 4.0 and content on various social platforms.

• Channel 4 announces its first branded microdrama series 'The Guest List', a five-part vertical short-form series.
• The series will be available on Channel 4's Meta, TikTok, and YouTube channels from 24th October.
• The series is produced by curly media in partnership with Sol de Janeiro, with the deal brokered by Zenith UK.

Murdoch Acknowledges Fox News Ratings Struggles Ahead of Midterms

Fox Corporation reported a strong fiscal first quarter driven by the FIFA World Cup 2026, the NFL season, and record political ad spend of $350 million for the midterm cycle. Despite a 22% revenue increase to $4.57 billion, CEO Lachlan Murdoch acknowledged Fox News' recent ratings struggles, attributing them to viewer fatigue similar to the 2006 midterms. He emphasized that viewers are not switching to competitors like MSNBC or CNN but rather tuning out entirely. Murdoch also highlighted the success of streaming service Fox One, noting 97% of subscribers are cordless, and reiterated that the Roku acquisition is progressing through regulatory review.

• Fox Corp. quarterly revenue reached $4.57 billion, a 22% increase year-over-year.
• Advertising revenue rose 47% due to FIFA World Cup, midterm ads, and Tubi growth.
• Political ad spend across Fox Corp. hit $350 million, a record for a midterm cycle.

Fox Q1 Fiscal 2027 Earnings Surge on Tubi, World Cup, Political Ads

Fox Corporation reported strong fiscal Q1 2027 results, with revenue climbing 22% to $4.57 billion, beating expectations. Advertising revenue surged 47% to $2.08 billion, driven by FIFA World Cup coverage and record political ad spend exceeding $350 million. Adjusted EBITDA rose 54% to $1.64 billion, while net income reached $957 million (or $943 million). Tubi's advertising revenue grew 35% with total viewing time up 23%. The company's proposed $22 billion acquisition of Roku has received shareholder and foreign regulatory approvals, but DOJ antitrust clearance is still pending, with closing expected in H1 2027. Fox ended the quarter with $4.5 billion in cash and $6.6 billion in debt. Fox One and Fox News' ratings decline were also noted.

• Fox Corporation's Q1 FY2027 revenue rose 22% to $4.57 billion, with adjusted EBITDA up 54% to $1.64 billion and net income of $957 million.
• Advertising revenue surged 47% to $2.08 billion, driven by FIFA World Cup and political ads; political ad spending exceeded $350 million, including $50 million from Tubi.
• Tubi's advertising revenue grew 35% year-over-year, with total viewing time up 23%.

Tubi and TikTok Launch Creator Incubator for 10 Original Series

Tubi and TikTok announced a partnership to create the Tubi x TikTok Creatorverse Incubator, starting with 12 TikTok creators who will develop 10 new original series for Tubi's free streaming service. The series span genres like horror, comedy, and animation, with titles such as 'Would You Survive?' and 'Feeling Super'. The incubator builds on Tubi's existing creator program, which has brought over 35,000 episodes from more than 700 creators since June 2025. Tubi's VP of Creator Partnerships, Kudzi Chikumbu, and TikTok's Global Head of Entertainment & Micro-series, Dawn Yang, expressed excitement about supporting creator-led storytelling and expanding audiences.

• Tubi and TikTok partner to create the Tubi x TikTok Creatorverse Incubator.
• 12 TikTok creators will develop 10 original series for Tubi.
• The series include 'Would You Survive?', 'Scare Tours', 'Feeling Super', and more.